What The Critics Say
Now 24 years old and signed to Island Records, Bryce Avary found himself more suited than ever to bring his guitar-fueled power pop to the masses. It didn't seem possible for Avary to create more hook-filled, summertime pop than what he crafted on his first two indie releases, yet that's precisely what he did on Do You Feel. Avary continued to prove his mastery of piano-laced pop that sounded like a cross between Ben Folds, the Swift, and Relient K. His vocals remained in the Justin Timberlake/Michael Jackson range, which only seemed to increase his appeal. In addition to his unbelievable stage energy, Avary sang practically every note with an unparalleled passion. He also demonstrated his musical adeptness, once again writing and performing the entire album himself (vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards). Lest anyone discredit Avary or his moniker, the Rocket Summer, for a lack of depth or diversity, first single "So Much Love" featured a horn section like that heard on Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life. What further cemented the prodigy's likableness was how genuinely he shunned the rock star life (see "High Life Scenery" for a scathing portrayal of the celeb lifestyle) and how much he preferred to spread the gospel of love ("Break It Out," "Hold It Up," "Waiting," for starters). In other words, practically everything about the Rocket Summer and this major-label debut album would impress any critic. ~ Jared Johnson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The second album from Bryce Avary, a phenomenally talented multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter who records alone as the Rocket Summer, offers more of the fresh-faced, open-hearted paeans to love, life, and happiness that made his debut such a refreshing joy to hear. The minor difference this time out is that his hooks are just a tad less rapturous than they were the first time out, and the more significant difference is that his vocal style is quite a bit more bombastic. There are moments during "I Was So Alone," "Tell Me Something Good," and especially "Goodbye Waves and Driveways" when you kind of wince and wish you could pat his hand and tell him to settle down -- no need for all the yelling, dude. But it's impossible to hold his energy and happiness against him, especially when the tunes are this infectious and the lyrics feature lines like "No, this won't be a sad song/There's going to be claps and singing along." Between his love of Jesus (about which he generally sings indirectly, if at all), his love for his new wife, and his love of life in general, Avary is the kind of guy who just makes you smile in spite of yourself. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Rocket Summer is Bryce Avary, a phenomenally gifted 20-year-old whose self-produced, self-recorded debut album finds him playing all the instruments and singing (almost) all the parts to songs that, naturally, he wrote himself, and that sound like the product of someone who's had 20 years to hone his craft. Since Avary presumably spent at least part of his childhood engaged in activities other than studying the art of songwriting, this album is a phenomenal achievement. It proceeds in something like sonata form, beginning with a few headlong blasts of pure power pop cheer, then slowing down in the middle for a handful of ballads, then picking up the tempo again moderately toward the end. If there's a complaint to be made about these songs, it's that sometimes they seem just a bit too crammed full of hooks and ideas, but that ebullient energy is a significant part of Avary's charm. "Cross My Heart" and "Saturday" are two of the most infectiously joyful songs released in recent memory, while the gently preachy "What We Hate We Make" actually incorporates a chorus of sixth-graders without inducing the gag reflex at all. Avary's voice is sweet and clear, and his playing -- on all instruments -- is absolutely solid and assured. This is, quite simply, an astounding album, and it's a little bit scary to contemplate what the next one will sound like. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
